Hydrophysics

Hydrophysics

Numerical investigation of performance of a rotating energy converter due to wave impact on an inclined surface using the smoothed particle hydrodynamics method

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Gholamreza Shobeyri
Mohamad Reza Kharaei
Zohreh Heydari
Hany Mahbuby
Faculty of Civil, Water and Environmental Engineering, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
In recent years, energy absorption from sea waves as a renewable resource has received much attention. In this study, the smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) numerical method is used to investigate the oscillatory behavior of a rotating wave energy converter. This converter is placed at the end of a slope connected to a reservoir that is affected by a solitary wave. The slope can represent the seashore, where waves are deformed near it and their energy absorption has its own considerations. In this study, the effect of various parameters on the energy absorption rate of the converter, such as wave height, stiffness of the torsion spring connected to the converter at the bottom, the moment of inertia of the converter, and the angle of inclination of the surface have been investigated. The results showed that by reducing the moment of inertia of the converter, the energy absorption rate decreases, but the value of this parameter must be greater than a critical value for the converter to be able to withstand the wave impact. It was also found that the spring stiffness at a moderate level leads to the desired performance of the converter. The amount of period, as an important factor in the oscillatory motion of the converter, is significantly dependent on the spring stiffness. Also, the optimal performance of the energy converter occurs at a certain slope, regardless of wave height, spring stiffness, and moment of inertia, which is related to the process of wave deformation on an inclined surface.
Keywords
Smoothed particle hydrodynamic method
meshless methods
wave energy absorption
rotating energy converter
inclined surface

Subjects

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Hydrophysics
Volume 10, Issue 2 - Serial Number 19
September 2025
Pages 159-170

  • Receive Date 03 October 2025
  • Revise Date 08 November 2025
  • Accept Date 22 November 2025